PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Published: September 29, 2010 9:00 AM

Ozzy says alcoholprevented visitJERUSALEM (AP) -- Ozzy Osbourne said that alcohol, not politics, has stopped him from playing in Israel until now.Osbourne is in Israel this week as part of this year's international Ozzfest tour, along with Soulfly and Korn. Tuesday's performance was to be his first ever in the Holy Land.Asked why he hadn't played in Israel before, the heavy metal rocker, known for decades of decadence and substance abuse, told reporters in Tel Aviv: "I guess I was drunk for so many years."He said politics had nothing to do with it. "I try to stay away from politics. They don't understand me and I don't understand them," he said, sitting next to his wife Sharon.Pro-Palestinian activists in Europe and the U.S. have urged artists to boycott Israel to protest the country's policies toward the Palestinians.A number of performers, Elvis Costello and the Pixies, recently canceled shows here, angering local fans. Other artists, including Metallica, Elton John and Rihanna, have resisted boycott calls and played in Israel this year.Osbourne, 61, pioneered heavy metal as front man for the band Black Sabbath.Songs like "Paranoid," and "War Pigs," with their dark lyrics and heavy guitar riffs changed rock and roll and inspired many bands. Osbourne left the band in the late 1970s and has been performing solo since.Joey Ramone signraised to new heightNEW YORK (AP) -- Officials say a metal homage to the late punk legend Joey Ramone may be New York City's most-stolen street sign.The Department of Transportation recently had the "Joey Ramone Place" sign reinstalled in lower Manhattan for the fourth time since 2003.This time, it was raised 8 eight feet to curb temptation. The New York Post says that puts it about 20 feet above street level.The group's longtime drummer, Marky Ramone, thinks Joey would appreciate the most-stolen distinction. But he adds: "Now you have to be an NBA player to see it."The sign is at the corner of Bowery and East Second Street.DOT spokesman Seth Solomonow said Broadway, Wall Street and Love Lane signs also have attracted sign thieves.Wyclef in hospitalfor stress, fatigueNEW YORK (AP) -- A representative for hip-hop singer Wyclef Jean says he has been hospitalized at an undisclosed location.The 37-year-old Grammy Award winner checked into a hospital over the weekend. His representative Marian Salzman says he's "suffering from stress and fatigue based on the grueling eight weeks he's had."Jean announced a bid for Haiti's presidency in August but ended it last week. No official reasons were given for Jean's exclusion although he's presumed not to have met constitutional requirements, including living in Haiti.Jean was born on the outskirts of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince (port-oh-PRIHNS'). He grew up in New York and lives in New Jersey.His rep says he "plans to take it easy" and will be released from the hospital this week.Jean also is planning to release a new album.Former 'ER' starnow in new thrillerNEW YORK (AP) -- Former "ER" star Laura Innes has traded in her hospital scrubs for NBC's mysterious new serial thriller, "The Event."The 51-year-old actress plays Sophia Maguire. Little was revealed about Sophia on the show's premiere, but Innes says several "compelling facts" will be revealed in the second episode. "The Event" airs Monday nights.Innes says she's having fun keeping the show's secrets.She says her 20-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter have been badgering her for spoilers, but she's contractually obligated not to spill story lines -- even to other cast members.Oprah: Will there beanother Potter book?NEW YORK (AP) -- Will J.K. Rowling write another book about Harry Potter?That's among the topics discussed on Oprah Winfrey's first interview with the author, whom she met recently in Edinburgh, Scotland. The interview will air Friday on Winfrey's television program.Rowling's U.S. publisher, Scholastic Inc., said Rowling will also discuss how she has coped with the fame brought on by her famous series. The books spawned a movie franchise and theme park. More than 400 million copies of the books starring the boy wizard have been sold worldwide.Forbes magazine has ranked Rowling as one of the richest women in Britain, with an estimated wealth of $1 billion.